On Sunday, October 3rd, Holy Family held its annual Blessing of the Pets during the 10 AM service in honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. This is a cherished day in the #holyvillage. St. Francis is known as the patron saint of all living creatures.

 

PrayerFlight is a group of men and women who have joined forces to pray over our cities, states, and nation from the unique perspective of flight. We understand that it is not where we are when we pray but rather the sincerity and fervency of our prayers that God hears and answers. Our dedicated men and women believe that it is from our perspective in flight which allows us the opportunity to observe God’s awesome creation and are reminded of our duty to pray for our fellow man, cities, and nation.

 

Through our perspective in flight, we desire to spend time in prayer specifically for the city that we are flying over. On days set aside by PrayerFlight, the mission is to cover entire counties, states, and our nation as Prayer Warriors team up with pilots and physically cover an assigned area with prayer.

 

Marty Blake, parishioner at Holy Family (Fishers, IN), was contacted by the national PrayerFlight coordinators to find a volunteer pilot for the Indianapolis Capital City flight on May 7, 2020. Marty is a commercial pilot and flight instructor and is employed by the Indiana Department of Transportation where he oversees and regulates aviation activities and facilities in the State of Indiana.

 

Marty volunteered to command the flight and asked the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows to fly along and pray over the Indianapolis metro area. A Cessna 182 Skylane was the aircraft used for the 40-minute flight. The flight flew over many suburban communities, several schools, and multiple parishes including St. Christopher’s (Carmel), Holy Family (Fishers), St. Paul’s (Indianapolis), Trinity (Indianapolis), and Christ Church Cathedral (Indianapolis). Additionally, the Indiana State House and government center building campuses were flown over at approximately 12:00 PM on May 7th. The Indiana capital PrayerFlight originated and terminated at Indianapolis Regional Airport, located on the east side of Indianapolis.

 

 

The word for bishop in Greek comes from episcope—meaning oversight. Participating in National Prayer Flight by praying over the geographic area in my care—in my oversight—was profound. The people in the congregations of the Diocese of Indianapolis and the workers, leaders, and legislators that help govern us are always in my prayer. However to literally pray over our region during a time of pandemic and crisis seems fitting and right. To share this experience with two faithful leaders of our diocese made it even more meaningful. With the Feast of the Ascension coming on May 21st, I prayed the following prayers in addition to the extemporaneous prayers offered.